LOUGHBOROUGH Town Ladies have began the season with two wins including a 7-1 victory over Charnwood Sileby in the local derby.

LOUGHBOROUGH Town Ladies have began the season with two wins including a 7-1 victory over Charnwood Sileby in the local derby.

The team began their campaign strongly scoring in the first 10 minutes against Charnwood.

Credit must be given to Post Office player of the match Claire Williams who had an amazing performance, scoring five out of the seven goals.

Loughborough continued to grow from strength to strength with Anna Godfrey driving the ball down the right side of the pitch, working well with Sophie O’Connell who managed to add a further goal to Town’s rising total.

Loughborough started the second half 6-0 up but on the back foot after losing captain O’Connell to injury and Charnwood seized the opportunity to pull a goal back.

Loughborough responded almost immediately with the forwards working particularly hard resulting in a goal from Godfrey.

Loughborough defence remained strong throughout with goal keeper Hannah Stainburn making a number of decent saves while Becki Richardson and sweeper Holly Stainburn made a number of strong tackles.

The next game against South Leicester was a much closer encounter with a single goal separating the sides.

Town’s midfield of Emily Walrond, Godfrey and Sozzi worked tirelessly but their attacks were thwarted at the D by South Leicester’s reliable defence.

It was in the second half that Town started to take control. A good run through the midfield by Walrond found the ball with Claire Williams who fed O’Connell. She was unlucky to see the shot go the wrong side of the post.

More good pressing play by the midfield led to some good interplay between Williams and Sozzi but the end shot was well saved by the keeper. This possession led to a string of penalty corners for Town but they could not find a way past South Leicester’s defensive unit.

The play switched ends, with South Leicester trying to find a way past the Town defence but the unit of Richardson, Stainburn, Ciara Hynes and debutant Sara Begg made sure that keeper Stainburn was untroubled in goal.

Finally, with 10 minutes remaining the break through came. A decisive run by Sozzi found the ball in the D with O’Connell. Her cross found Williams who flicked the ball into the net to give Loughborough a 1-0 lead.

Town used good possession play to run the clock down and allow their players a much needed breather.

One final attack by South Leicester was well saved by Stainburn and the final whistle was blown.

Town have a week off but will be back in action, hoping to make it three wins out of three against Leicester 5ths on October 24.